Give Kids A Smile

The Hispanic Dental Association was a 2009 & 2010 grantee of the American Dental Association Foundation, Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) Program grant. The purpose of the grant is to fund volunteer initiatives in providing preventive and restorative services to children in low-income families. Three HDA Professional Chapters – Boston, Los Angeles, and Dallas – successfully hosted several GKAS events.

Los Angeles HDA / Latinos for Dental Careers

Events were held throughout 2010 at El Proyecto Del Barrio Dental Clinic, M.E.N.D. Facility, University of Southern California Dental Camp, Women’s Health Clinic, Mexican Consulate, Mobile Clinic of Happy Smiles, Los Angeles Best Annual Family Health Festival, city of South Gate, Rio de Los Angeles State Park, and the Foundation for Early Childhood Education. With 50 volunteers (dentists, hygienists, assistants, staff, and students), the LA HDA / LDC is happy to report that over 600 children received oral health education and preventive care. Eighty children received restorative care. Services provided included: dental screenings, sealants, fillings, prophys, amalgams, crowns, and extractions. Oral hygiene instruction and dental patient education was given at each event along with toothbrushes and toothpaste.

Massachusetts Hispanic Dental Association

Events were held throughout 2010 at Fundacion de Arte y cultura de la Republica Dominicana Health Fair, Iglesia El Buen Pastor Health Fair, Martha Eliot Health Center Health Fair, El Planeta Health Center, Chinatown YMCA, Nice Daycare, La Casa de la Cultura, Madonna Queen, city of Somerville, and Latino for Waltham. With 46 volunteers (faculty dentists, students and volunteers), the MHDA is happy to report that over 227 children received screenings, oral health education and preventive care. Those in need were referred to Tufts University Pediatric Clinic for care. Along with patient care, special focus was given to mentoring pre-school teachers to act as ambassadors of the GKAS program and to promote good oral health habits. Volunteers also spent time with young students to promote the career of dentistry.

North Texas Hispanic Dental Association

Events were held throughout 2010 at Collin County Community College Dental Hygiene Clinic and Texas Women’s University. Partnering with Baylor College of Dentistry HDA Student Chapter, the North Texas Dental Society, the Texas Women’s University, and Smiles Change Lives, the NTHDA gathered 100 volunteers (dentists, faculty, and students) to work together to make the GKAS Program a success. The NTHDA is happy to report that hundreds of children received screenings, x-rays, cleanings, basic dental care, oral health education and preventive care. Twenty-nine dental homes were found for those children needing specific care; these children were referred to specialists who will continue treatment at no cost.